How to Put Just One Page in Landscape in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Page Orientation in Microsoft Word

Changing the orientation for just one page in Microsoft Word can be a bit tricky, but it’s absolutely possible and useful for inserting wide tables, charts, or images while keeping the rest of your document in portrait. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Place your cursor at the start of the page that you want in landscape orientation.
2. Go to the Layout or Page Layout tab.
3. Click Breaks > Next Page. This creates a section break.
4. Now, place your cursor at the end of that page (where you want portrait to resume) and insert another Next Page section break.
5. Select the page or content you want to turn landscape.
6. Return to the Layout tab, click Orientation, then choose Landscape.

This will flip only the section between your two breaks into landscape, leaving the other pages unaffected. As a designer, I often use this for floor plans, detailed images, or wide tables. It keeps the overall document clean and professional while making sure no content feels squeezed or misaligned. If you need to present floor plans, using features of a 3D Floor Planner before inserting them into documents can help you maintain both design fidelity and layout clarity.

Tips 1:

Always check your section breaks in draft or outline view—incorrect placement can lead to formatting issues across your document. Also, remember that headers and footers may need adjusting for the landscape page, as their orientation will change.

FAQ

Q: Can I switch multiple non-adjacent pages to landscape in one document?

A: Yes, by adding section breaks before and after each page you wish to change, then setting orientation for each section individually.

Q: Will headers and footers remain the same after changing page orientation?

A: They’ll appear, but their position and formatting might shift. Adjust them separately for landscape pages if needed.

Q: Can I use this method in both Word for Windows and Mac?

A: Yes, the general steps are the same, though some buttons or menu names may differ slightly.

Q: Does landscape orientation affect printing?

A: It only changes how content is displayed; ensure your printer is set to recognize both portrait and landscape in the same document.

Q: What’s the best way to format wide design layouts in Word?

A: Use section breaks and landscape pages, and consider creating your layout with a professional tool such as a 3D Floor Planner before importing images or diagrams into Word.